How To Use Chia Seeds In Green Smoothies

Chia seeds have become a popular superfood, mainly for their high protein and omega-3 essential fatty acid content. They are a healthy addition to green smoothies.

Even if you have never eaten chia seeds before, you have probably heard about them.

Remember those ads on TV for Chia Pets? And that catchy jingle – Ch-ch-ch-chia! Well the very same seeds that made terra cotta animals sprout fur are the same seeds that have become one of the most popular green smoothie booster.

Chia (salvia hispanica) is native to central and southern Mexico, as well as Guatemala. When I lived in Mexico during the winter of 2010/2011, I found chia seeds for sale at most mainstream supermarkets. And the price was much, much cheaper than they are at health food stores in the United States.

Chia Seed Nutrition and Health Benefits

One ounce of chia seeds provides 138 calories, 4.4 grams of protein, 8.7 grams of fat and 12.4 grams of carbohydrates – 10.7% of which is fiber. Most of the fat in chia seeds are omega-3 essential fatty acids – 311% RDA per ounce!

As far as minerals, one ounce of chia seeds contains about 179 mg of calcium (about 18% RDA), 38% RDA of phosphorus, 27% RDA of manganese and 9% RDA of zinc.

As with any superfood that is marketed online, there are a lot of over-hyped claims about health benefits and alleged miracle cures attributed to chia seeds. Some claim that chia seed is “medicinal”, while others go as far as to say that it can assist in curing cancer.

A much touted benefit of chia is the “high digestibility” of its protein content. Studies have shown that ground chia seeds provide the most digestible protein content with raw and then soaked chia seeds coming in at a distant second place.

Precautions: Like flax seeds, chia seeds are rich in a class of phytoestrogens called lignans. While there is considerable debate about how phytoestrogens affect healthy people, those who have hormonal imbalances may want to limit their intake of foods, like chia seeds, that have high levels of these plant estrogens – particularly men who suffer from high levels of estrogen or low testosterone, or women who have higher-than-normal estrogen levels.

There is no clinical evidence that healthy people are at risk of developing hormonal imbalances from consuming chia seeds in normal amounts.

How To Use Chia Seeds In A Green Smoothie

Chia seeds have a mild, very slightly nutty flavor. A tablespoon or two won’t negatively impact the flavor of your green smoothie.

Add up to two tablespoons for a healthy dose of omega-3’s, protein, calcium, phosphorus and manganese. Adding too much chia might make your smoothie gelatinous and could add too much fat to your smoothie, which can cause digestive difficulty.

I recommend two methods for using chia seeds in smoothies. The first method is to soak the whole seeds for about 5 minutes in 1 part seeds to 3 parts water just prior to blending. The soaked seeds become gelatinous and blend up well in a high-speed blender. This provides a couple advantages because it keeps the chia as a whole food up until you consume it (which reduces oxidation), and soaking improves digestibility, as well as enhances moisture content.

The other method of using chia is to add dry seeds to a coffee grinder and turn them into a powder, then adding that to your green smoothie. If you do this, be sure to add a little extra water to your blender pitcher and drink your smoothie right away. Otherwise, if you let the smoothie sit, the fiber in the chia seeds might take up water turning your entire smoothie into a gelatinous glop clinging to your glass or blender pitcher. Not pleasant!

How To Select and Store Chia Seeds

In the United States, chia seeds are mostly purchased online – particularly at websites that sell superfoods. In larger cities, they might be available at health food stores although they are starting to become very popular and I have been able to find them at Costco.

They are native to Mexico and Davy and I have found them in bulk at small specialty markets as well as large grocery store chains (like Mega) in Playa del Carmen where they sell for about 100 pesos per kilogram (about $4.50 USD per pound).

As with all nuts and seeds, store in a cool, dry place. I prefer to keep seeds and nuts in the refrigerator to avoid spoilage and rancidity. Only grind or soak seeds that you will be using within 24 hours as nutrient loss and spoilage can occur.

Chia seeds are highly nutritious and easy to add to a green smoothie. Give them a try!

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to be used as medical advice or to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always work directly with a qualified medical professional before attempting to treat any illness or medical condition with diet and lifestyle, or when changing or discontinuing any prescription medications. Always check with your doctor before starting any new diet or fitness program.